Frances Cook

I don't know if we've got one for seven yet.

I'll lock that in.

And I just feel like we've all been trudging through being told it's coming around the corner.

And I know they said there was going to be no lolly scramble in this latest budget, but they really were not kidding.

I feel like the latest budget has been a very clear sign of you're on your own kid and you're going to have to figure it out, which...

is a little bit doomy, but it's also when you hit that, it's a real warning to us all, pull our socks up and make sure we've got it sorted because it's all still raining out there.

Well, yeah, I thought it was very interesting some of the things that came out in the budget.

Right.

So there was a little bit of grim news in there again when they were pointing out that inflation is going to keep going up, that the fuel crisis is going to stick around.

They've been using very soft language on the fuel crisis, but having this contingency fund suddenly pop up.

to keep things going, that's such a clear sign.

And looking at things like the house prices, that means interest rates are going to go up.

So I do think there's some very clear warning signs of at least not before the end of this year.

Unfortunately, I don't think people should expect things to get better.

Yes, yes, exactly.

And I think there's also, there can be a bit of a danger if we put our heads in the sand of just don't acknowledge it.

Then people don't take some of the preparation that can help a little bit.

And there's only a certain amount you can do, right?

It's hard when times are quite tough and have been tough for a while.

There's not much left.